Relaxation for the Treatment of Headache

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effectiveness of two group relaxation programs for the treatment of headache were evaluated in comparison to a waiting-list control group. A group of 48 subjects diagnosed as either classic migraine, common migraine, muscle-contraction headache, or mixed headache were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: self-help relaxation therapist-assisted relaxation, or waiting-list control group. Results indicated that both treatment conditions were superior to the waiting-list control group at one-month follow-up. Analysis of changes in headache within each treatment condition, diagnosis, and physiological changes during relaxation were significant predictors of treatment outcome. These findings were discussed in terms of the literature pertaining to the psychological treatment of headache.